‘"I think that’s out there every year," he said. "The only difference is the degree that it’s out there. I’ve dealt with that in the past and will deal with it going forward. … I honestly don’t spend a lot of time worrying about what other people think. I certainly respect what other people think, but there’s a job to do and that’s got to be the focal point."’

‘If I can’t land Bouwmeester, there are options that would allow me to improve the blue line and leave money to spend elsewhere. Good players should be available in the trade market with so many teams bumped against the cap. The Sabres could use another center and more offense off the wing. The team was 17th in scoring but the current group would generate more offense with a puck-moving defenseman.’

‘And ownership better be thinking two steps ahead. To wit, I ask this: What if this team is sitting, say, 12th in the East come Thanksgiving week? Is ownership prepared to make the decisions — and pay the money necessary — if a coaching change turns out to be in order? Better be. Same for a GM change.’

‘"Everybody does remember that," McKee conceded. "There was a GM this year talking about the video system, and he mentioned how Brett Hull scored a goal that shouldn’t have counted. Even people outside of Buffalo or just our team know it as well, and that certainly stings a bit. But you can’t live and worry about things that didn’t go your way in the past."’

‘As a team, the Sabres have not been able to impose their will on their opponent. The organization has not put a premium on big, physical forwards over the past several seasons. With Drew Stafford a restricted free agent this season, the trend may continue.’

‘"My tickets are about half the price to what comparable seats would be in the Air Canada Centre [in Toronto]," Talosi says. "They are the nicest seats you can get without being in a [luxury] box. A pair probably works out to about $100, $110 per seat, and for every pair you get a parking pass for the [lot] attached to the arena."’

‘”For the last 30 years, Hamilton’s been very active in trying to obtain an NHL team,” Merulla said Thursday. “In 1990, the last time we were even remotely close to obtaining a team, we always were very suspicious that Buffalo and Toronto played a significant role – behind closed doors – in preventing us from getting a team.”‘

‘Nonetheless, a Hamilton city councillor isn’t pleased with the lack of chatter. Sam Merulla, who represents Ward 4, has issued a release calling for the Sabres to back a team in his city or risk facing a boycott.’